Countries Affected

Central & South America

The coffee rust disease originated in Africa in the late 1800s. It was known to cause by a fungus called Hemileia vastatrix. The spread of this disease affected a lot of coffee plantations all over the world during that time.

In 2012, the epidemic reached the countries of Central and South America.The coffee rust disease brought devastating effects to America’s coffee plantation industries. Thousands of farmers lost their jobs. Coffee plantations lost millions of money. The worst part is, until now, a lot of coffee plantations are still suffering from the coffee rust disease.

The coffee rust outbreak in Central and South America has negatively affected local economies. It limited the ability of smallholders to reinvest in their crop production.

Learn about the 'Roya' (coffee rust) devastating impact as you listen to Marie from Naturalba, an Organic Coffee Producer and 'Beneficio' in Costa Rica.